Slot machine and playing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A slot machine includes a display and a controller. The display has a plurality of display blocks provided in a matrix, variably displays symbols displayed on the plurality of display blocks, and displays new symbols. In an arbitrary game, the controller selects an active region composed of one or more display blocks from among the plurality of display blocks in response to an operation input for a touch panel by a player, and provides an award in response to the one or more symbols stopped on the selected active region.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-244340, filed on Sep. 8, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slot machine for playing a game by using a game medium such as a coin, and to a playing method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a facility in which a slot machine is placed, a player can play a game by inserting a variety of game mediums such as coins and bills into the slot machine. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,133, a conventional slot machine provides an award in response to a winning occurring while the game is advancing.

Moreover, in the conventional slot machine, it has been common that a payline for determining the occurrence of the winning is made as a linear payline. However, recently, a slot machine that includes a variety of paylines other than such a liner payline and a slot machine that does not have a concept of the payline have also made appearances thereof.

Such a slot machine as described above, which includes the paylines other than the linear line, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,102. However, the slot machine that provides the award when a predetermined number of symbols are stopped on a display on which the paylines and symbol matrices are displayed does not differ from the slot machine using the linear payline in that the amount of awards is determined according to the result of the rearrangement of symbols, and as a result, has a similar game mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine and a playing method thereof, which are capable of enhancing expectation of a player and displaying symbols excellently in terms of entertainment factor.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a slot machine including: a display that has a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix, and rearranges a symbol arranged on each defined region; and a controller that, in an arbitrary game, selects an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among the plurality of defined regions in response to an external input, and provides an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region.

In accordance with the present invention, in the arbitrary game, the active region is set by the external input, and the award occurs by the symbols rearranged on the defined regions set as the active region. Specifically, the player him/herself first decides the active region, the symbols are thereafter rearranged, and accordingly, such a symbol arrangement for generating the award will differ for each game. Hence, the active region to be selected is changed for each game, and accordingly, such symbol display excellent in entertainment factor is possible, thus making it possible to enhance the expectations of the player.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a slot machine including: a display that has a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix, and rearranges a symbol arranged on each defined region; and a controller that, in an arbitrary game, selects an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among the plurality of defined regions in response to an external input, provides an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region, and decides a number of the active regions in response to a BET number so that the number of selectable active regions increases as the BET number is being larger.

In accordance with the present invention, the number of active regions is set so as to be increased as the BET number is being larger. Hence, it is made possible to enhance the expectations of the player more as the player is betting more gaming mediums.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a slot machine including: a display that has a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix, and rearranges a symbol arranged on each defined region; and a controller that, in an arbitrary game, selects an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among the plurality of defined regions in response to an external input, provides an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region, decides a number of the active regions in response to a BET number so that the number of selectable active regions increases as the BET number is being larger, and rearranges a plurality of symbols on the display so that the one or more symbols on the one or more defined regions set as the active region can be visually recognized with easier than the other symbols on the defined regions which are not set as the active region.

In accordance with the present invention, the defined regions set as the active region are displayed more brightly than the defined regions which are not set as the active region. Hence, it can be facilitated for the player to recognize the defined regions set as the active region, thus making it possible to enhance the entertainment factor.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a playing method of a slot machine including the steps of: selecting, in response to an external input, an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix in a case of rearranging symbols arranged on a display that has the plurality of defined regions; and providing an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region.

In accordance with the present invention, in the arbitrary game, the active region is set by the external input, and the award occurs by the symbols rearranged on the defined regions set as the active region. Specifically, the player him/herself first decides the active region, the symbols are thereafter rearranged, and accordingly, the symbol arrangement for generating the award will differ for each game. Hence, the active region to be selected is changed for each game, and accordingly, the symbol display excellent in entertainment factor is possible, thus making it possible to enhance the expectations of the player.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a playing method of a slot machine including the steps of: selecting, in response to an external input, an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among a plurality of the defined regions provided in a matrix in a case of rearranging symbols arranged on a display that has the plurality of defined regions; providing an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region; and deciding a number of the active regions in response to a BET number so that the number of selectable active regions increases as the BET number is being larger.

In accordance with the present invention, the number of active regions is set so as to be increased as the BET number is being larger. Hence, it is made possible to enhance the expectations of the player more as the player is betting more gaming mediums.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a playing method of a slot machine including the steps of: selecting, in response to an external input, an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix in a case of rearranging symbols arranged on a display that has the plurality of defined regions; providing an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region; deciding a number of the active regions in response to a BET number so that the number of selectable active regions increases as the BET number is being larger; and rearranging the symbols on the display so that the one or more symbols on the one or more defined regions set as the active region can be visually recognized with easier than the other symbols on the defined regions which are not set as the active region.

In accordance with the present invention, the defined regions set as the active region are displayed more brightly than the defined regions which are not set as the active region. Hence, it can be facilitated for the player to recognize the defined regions set as the active region, thus making it possible to enhance the entertainment factor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing procedure of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an exterior appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing symbols displayed on a rotating reel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an award table for deciding an award amount of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing game execution processing executed in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing active region setting processing executed in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing symbol decision processing executed in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing bonus game processing executed in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an exterior appearance of a slot machine according to a modification example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine according to the modification example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing display blocks of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a display example when a region R1 is set as an active region in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a display example when the region R1 is set as the active region and symbols are stopped on the display blocks in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a display example when the regions R1 and R3 are set as the active region in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a display example when a crucial active region is set in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description will be made below of a slot machine and a playing method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. First, a description will be made below of a schematic operation of the slot machine and the playing method thereof, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

When a power supply is turned on to start the slot machine, authentication processing is first performed in the slot machine (Step S100). In the authentication processing, initial checking processing before starting a base game is performed, such as to whether or not a program for operating a system operates normally and whether or not the program is falsified.

Next, the slot machine executes the base game (Step S200). In the base game, when a spin button 23 is pressed in a state where a desired number of credits is bet in such a manner that coins are inserted into a coin receiving slot 21, and so on, five columns of the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e) provided in an inside of a display window 15 provided on a front surface of a cabinet 11 rotate. Then, scroll of symbols displayed on the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e) is started, and thereafter, is stopped. In such a way, the base game is executed, in which the symbols are stopped (rearranged) on totally 15 display blocks 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3: defined regions) with a matrix of five columns and three rows. Note that suffixes “a” to “e” assigned to the respective display blocks 28 denote the columns of the respective display blocks 28 provided in such a matrix form, and suffixes “1” to “3” denote the rows thereof (refer to FIG. 12).

Moreover, a front surface side of the display window 15 is formed as a touch panel, and the touch panel is divided into five columns and three rows so as to correspond to the respective display blocks 28. Hence, when a player touches any of the 15 display blocks 28 shown in FIG. 12 at the time when the touch panel is activated, the touched display block 28 is sensed.

Subsequently, processing for receiving active region setting is executed (Step S200). In this processing, a selection operation using the touch panel by the player is activated. Moreover, processing for setting the active region is performed (Step S300). Specifically, when the player touches the desired display block 28, the display block 28 thus touched is recognized, and the active region corresponding to the recognized block is set. For example, in the case where the touch panel corresponding to any of the display blocks 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 in the upper row is touched, the upper row concerned is set as the active region. Note that it is also possible to set the active regions so that the number thereof can be increased in response to a “BET number”.

Moreover, when the scroll of the rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e) is started and then stopped, it is determined whether or not symbols which provide a winning are rearranged on the display blocks 28 set as the active region (Step S500). When it is determined that the symbols which provide the wining are rearranged (YES in Step S500), processing for providing an award corresponding to the winning is performed (Step S600). For example, when four symbols of “APPLE” are stopped on the display blocks 28 set as the active region, 10 coins are awarded.

Next, a description will be made of a configuration of the slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 is placed in a gaming facility.

In the slot machine 10, a coin, a bill, or electronic value information equivalent to these is used as a game medium for executing the base game. However, in the present invention, the game medium is not particularly limited to these, and for example, a medal, a token, electronic money, and a ticket can be mentioned. No particular limitations are imposed on the above-described ticket, and for example, a ticket attached with a bar code, which is as described later, can be mentioned.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 includes the cabinet 11, a top box 12 installed on the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided on the front surface of the cabinet 11.

In an inside of the cabinet 11, five columns of the rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e) to be scrolled in the inside of the display window 15 are provided. On a front surface side of the rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e), a liquid crystal display 82 is provided. Hence, when the base game is executed, the symbols drawn on the rotating reels 14 are scrolled behind the liquid crystal display 82, and can be visually recognized through the display window 15.

Moreover, the liquid crystal display 82 is partitioned into the totally 15 display blocks 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 with the matrix of five columns and three rows so as to correspond to display positions of the symbols when the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e) are stopped (refer to FIG. 12). Furthermore, on the front surface side of the display window 15, the touch panel 69 (refer to FIG. 5) is provided, and the touch panel 69 concerned is partitioned so as to correspond to the display blocks 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 of which number is 15. Specifically, when the touch panel 69 is touched by the player, each of the display blocks 28 becomes identifiable.

Note that, in this embodiment, a description will be made of an example where the totally 15 symbols with the matrix of five columns and three rows are displayed on the display blocks 28 by using the five columns of rotating reels 14 a to 14 e; however, the present invention is not limited to the display of the matrix with the five columns and three rows.

In the main door 13, a lower image display panel 16 is provided. The lower image display panel 16 includes a transparent liquid crystal panel, and on the lower image display panel 16, various pieces of information regarding the game, an effect image, and the like are displayed during the game.

In the lower image display panel 16, a number-of-credits display portion 31 and a number-of-awards display portion 32 are provided. The number of credited coins is displayed by an image on the number-of-credits display portion 31. On the number-of-awards display portion 32, the number of coins awarded when a combination of specific symbols is stopped on the display blocks 28 set as the active region to be described later or when a predetermined number of scatter symbols are stopped on the display blocks 28 set as the active region is displayed by an image.

On the lower image display panel 16, the display window 15 is provided. Through the display window 15, the symbols displayed on the display blocks 28 a 1 to 28 e 3 with the matrix of five columns and three rows in the liquid crystal display 82 provided in an inside of the lower image display panel 16 are visually recognizable.

Below the lower image display panel 16, there are provided: a control panel 20 composed of a plurality of buttons 23 to 27 through which instructions concerned with advancing of the game are entered by the player; the coin receiving slot 21 for receiving the coin into the cabinet 11; and a bill validator 22.

On the control panel 20, there are provided: the spin button 23; the change button 24; the cashout button 25; the 1-BET button 26; and the maximum-BET button 27. The spin button 23 is a button for entering an instruction to start the scroll of the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e). The change button 24 is a button for use in the case of requesting a clerk of the gaming facility to do a money exchange. The cashout button 25 is a button for entering an instruction to award the credited coins to a coin tray 18.

The 1-BET button 26 is a button for entering an instruction to bet one coin among the credited coins on the game. The maximum-BET button 27 is a button for entering an instruction to bet, among the credited coins, on the game, the maximum number (for example, three) of coins capable of being bet on one game.

The bill validator 22 identifies whether or not the bill is a real one, and receives the real bill into the cabinet 11. The bill validator 22 may be composed so as to be capable of reading a ticket 39 attached with the bar code, which will be described later. On a lower front surface of the main door 13, that is, below the control panel 20, berry glass 34 on which a character of the slot machine 10 and the like are drawn is provided.

On a front surface of the top box 12, an upper image display panel 33 is provided. The upper image display panel 33 includes a liquid crystal panel, and for example, on the upper image display panel 33, an effect image and an image representing an introduction of game contents and an explanation of a game rule are displayed.

Moreover, on the top box 12, a speaker 29 for outputting sounds is provided. Under the upper image display panel 33, there are provided a ticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a data display device 37, and a keypad 38. The ticket printer 35 prints, on a ticket, the bar code in which data regarding the number of credits, date, an identification number of the slot machine 10, and the like is encoded. Then, the ticket printer 35 outputs the printed ticket as such a bar code-attached ticket 39. The player can play a game on another slot machine by using the bar code-attached ticket 39, and can exchange the bar code-attached ticket 39 with bills and the like at a cashier and the like of the gaming facility.

The card reader 36 reads data from a smart card, and writes data to the smart card. The smart card is a card possessed by the player, and stores, for example, data for identifying the player and data regarding a history of the games played by the player.

The data display device 37 is composed of a fluorescent display or the like, and displays, for example, the data read by the card reader 36 and data entered by the player through the keypad 38. The keypad 38 is used for entering an instruction and data, which are regarding issuance of the ticket, and the like.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the symbols which are drawn on side surfaces of the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e) and are to be scrolled following rotations of the rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e). As shown in FIG. 3, the respective symbols of “PLUM”, “ORANGE”, “STRAWBERRY”, “APPLE”, “BELL”, “LOBSTER”, and “CRAB” are to be scrolled.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an award table for deciding an award amount according to the symbols stopped on the active region. As shown in FIG. 4, when four symbols of “ORANGE” are stopped on the active region, an award of five coins occurs, and when five symbols of “ORANGE” are stopped thereon, an award of ten coins occurs. Moreover, when three symbols of “APPLE” are stopped on the active region, an award of five coins occurs. When four symbols of “APPLE” are stopped on the active region, an award of ten coins occurs, and when five symbols of “APPLE” are stopped thereon, an award of 15 coins occurs.

Moreover, when three symbols of “STRAWBERRY” are stopped on the active region, an award of ten coins occurs. When four symbols of “STRAWBERRY” are stopped on the active region, an award of 15 coins occurs, and when five symbols of “STRAWBERRY” are stopped thereon, an award of 20 coins occurs.

Furthermore, when five symbols of “LOBSTER” are stopped on the active region, this becomes a bonus trigger, and a bonus game to be described later is executed. FIG. 4 only shows an example of the award table, and it is also possible to set other awards than those shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. 2. A gaming board 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM 55, and a boot ROM 52, which are interconnected by an internal bus, a card slot 53S corresponding to a memory card 53, and an IC socket 54S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54.

The memory card 53 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and stores a game program. The game program includes a symbol decision program. The symbol decision program is a program for deciding the symbols (code numbers corresponding to the symbols) to be displayed still on the respective display blocks 28.

Moreover, the card slot 53S is configured to be capable of inserting/removing the memory card 53 thereinto/therefrom, and is connected to a motherboard 40 via an IDE bus. Hence, the memory card 53 is removed from the card slot 53S, another game program is written into the memory card 53, and the memory card 53 is inserted into the card slot 53S, thus making it possible to change a type and contents of the game played in the slot machine 10. The game program includes the program concerned with the advancing of the game. Moreover, the game program includes image data and sound data, which are outputted during the game.

The CPU 51, the ROM 55, and the boot ROM 52, which are interconnected via the internal bus, are connected to the motherboard 40 via a PCI bus. The PCI bus transfers a signal between the motherboard 40 and the gaming board 50, and supplies power from the motherboard 40 to the gaming board 50. Moreover, the motherboard 40 and the gaming board 50 construct a controller 48.

The motherboard 40 is composed by using a commercially available general-purpose motherboard (printed wiring board including basic parts of a personal computer packaged therein), and includes a main CPU 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, and a communication interface 44.

The ROM 42 is formed of a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores a program such as a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) executed by the main CPU 41, and permanent data. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 41, predetermined initializing processing for peripheral devices is performed, and capture processing for the game program stored in the memory card 53 through the gaming board 50 is started. In the present invention, the ROM 42 may be one capable of rewriting the contents thereof, or may be one incapable of such rewriting.

In the RAM 43, data and a program for use when the main CPU 41 operates are stored. Moreover, the RAM 43 can store the game program.

Moreover, in the RAM 43, data regarding the number of credits, the number of inserted game mediums and awarded game mediums in one game is stored.

Furthermore, to the motherboard 40, there are individually connected a main body PCB (printed circuit board) 60 and a door PCB 80, which will be described later, via a USB. Moreover, a power supply unit 45 is connected to the motherboard 40.

To the main body PCB 60 and the door PCB 80, there are connected instruments and devices for generating input signals to be inputted to the main CPU 41, and instruments and devices, of which actions are controlled by control signals outputted from the main CPU 41. The main CPU 41 executes the game program stored in the RAM 43 based on the input signals inputted to the main CPU 41, thereby performing predetermined computational processing to store a result thereof in the RAM 43, and transmitting the control signals to the respective instruments and devices for the purpose of control processing for the respective instruments and devices.

To the main body PCB 60, there are connected a lamp 30, a sub CPU 61, a hopper 66, a coin detection unit 67, a graphic board 68, the speaker 29, the bill validator 22, the ticket printer 35, the card reader 36, a key switch 38S, and the data display device 37. The lamp 30 turns on in a predetermined pattern based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41.

The sub CPU 61 controls the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e; only one is shown in FIG. 5) and a display of images on the liquid crystal display 82 provided on the front surface side of the rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e). The sub CPU 61 is connected to a motor driving circuit 62, a index detection circuit 65, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 46 and the touch panel 69.

The VDP 46 reads out image data of the symbols, which is stored in an image data ROM 47, creates images (water-white or blue images in this embodiment) to be displayed on the respective display blocks 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3) of the liquid crystal display 82, and outputs these images to the liquid crystal display 82.

Stepping motors 70 (70 a to 70 e) are connected to the rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e). The stepping motors 70 start rotating according to a drive signal outputted from a motor driving circuit 62, and the rotating reels 14 rotate following the rotations of the stepping motors 70.

An index detection circuit 65 for detecting stopped positions of the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e) is connected to the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e). Data indicating the stopped positions of the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e), which are detected in the index detection circuit 65, are outputted to the sub CPU 61. Based on the data described above, the sub CPU 61 can recognize the stopped positions of the rotating reels 14, that is, the symbols displayed when the rotating reels 14 are stopped.

The hopper 66 is installed in the cabinet 11, and awards a predetermined number of coins from a coin award opening 19 to the coin tray 18 based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41. The coin detection unit 67 is provided in an inside of the coin award opening 19, and outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 upon detecting that the predetermined number of coins are awarded from the coin award opening 19.

The graphic board 68 controls the displays of the images on the upper image display panel 33 and the lower image display panel 16 based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41. The number-of-credits display portion 31 of the lower image display panel 16 displays the number of credits, which is stored in the RAM 43. The number-of-awards display portion 32 of the lower image display panel 16 displays the number of awarded coins.

The graphic board 68 includes a VDP (Video Display Processor) that creates the image data based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41, a video RAM that temporarily stores the image data created by the VDP, and the like. Note that image data for use when the image data is created by the VDP is contained in the game program read out from the memory card 53 and stored in the RAM 43.

The bill validator 22 identifies whether or not the bill is proper, and receives such a real bill into the cabinet 11. Upon receiving the real bill, the bill validator 22 outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 based on an amount of the received bill. The main CPU 41 stores the number of credits, which corresponds to the amount of bill, in the RAM 43. In this case, the amount of bill is transmitted by the input signal.

Based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41, the ticket printer 35 prints, on the ticket, the bar code in which the data regarding the number of credits, the date, the identification number of the slot machine 10, and the like, which are stored in the RAM 43, is encoded. Then, the ticket printer 35 outputs the printed ticket as the bar code-attached ticket 39.

The card reader 36 reads the data from the smart card, and then transmits the read data to the main CPU 41. Moreover, the card reader 36 writes the data to the smart card based on the control signal from the main CPU 41. The key switch 38S is provided on the keypad 38, and outputs a predetermined input signal to the main CPU 41 when the keypad 38 is operated by the player. The data display device 37 displays the data read by the card reader 36 and the data inputted by the player through the keypad 38 based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41.

The control panel 20, a reverter 21S, a coin counter 21C, and a cold cathode tube 81 are connected to the door PCB 80. In the control panel 20, there are provided: a spin switch 23S corresponding to the spin button 23; a change switch 24S corresponding to the change button 24; a cashout switch 25S corresponding to the cashout button 25; a 1-BET switch 26S corresponding to the 1-BET button 26; and a maximum-BET switch 27S corresponding to the maximum-BET button 27. The respective switches 23S to 27S output input signals to the main CPU 41 when the player operates the buttons 23 to 27 corresponding to the respective switches concerned.

The coin counter 21C is provided in an inside of the coin receiving slot 21, and identifies whether or not the coins inserted into the coin receiving slot 21 by the player are proper. Coins other than the real coins are discharged from the coin award opening 19. Moreover, upon detecting the real coins, the coin counter 21C outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41.

The reverter 21S operates based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41, and distributes the coins recognized as the real coins by the coin counter 21C to a cash box (not shown) installed in an inside of the slot machine 10 or to the hopper 66. When the hopper 66 is filled with the coins, the real coins are distributed to the cash box by the reverter 21S. Meanwhile, when the hopper 66 is not filled with the coins, the real coins are distributed to the hopper 66 by the reverter 21S.

The cold cathode tube 81 functions as a backlight installed on backsides of the lower image display panel 16 and the upper image display panel 33, and turns on based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41.

Next, a description will be made of the processing to be performed in the slot machine 10. The main CPU 41 reads out and executes the game program, thereby advancing the game.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing game execution processing. In the game execution processing, the main CPU 41 first determines whether or not the coins are bet (Step S10). In this processing, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received the input signal outputted from the 1-BET switch 26S when the 1-BET button 26 is operated or the input signal outputted from the maximum-BET switch 27S when the maximum-BET button 27 is operated. In the case of determining that the coins are not bet, the main CPU 41 returns the processing to Step S10.

Meanwhile, in the case of determining in Step S10 that the coins are bet, the main CPU 41 performs processing for reducing the number of credits, which is stored in the RAM 43, in response to the number of bet coins (Step S111). Note that, when the number of bet coins is larger than the number of credits, which is stored in the RAM 43, the main CPU 41 returns the processing to Step S10 without performing the processing for reducing the number of credits, which is stored in the RAM 43. Meanwhile, when the number of bet coins exceeds an upper limit value (three in this embodiment) of the number capable of being bet on one game, the main CPU 41 moves the processing to Step S12 without performing the processing for reducing the number of credits, which is stored in the RAM 43.

In Step S12, the main CPU 41 activates the operation of the touch panel 69, and executes the processing for setting the display blocks serving as the active region among the totally 15 display blocks 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3) with the matrix of five columns and three rows in accordance with the operation of the player.

A description will be made below of a specific processing procedure of such active region setting processing shown in Step S12, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 7. In the active region setting processing, first, in Step S21, the touch panel 69 provided on the front surface side of the display window 15 is activated. Specifically, the touch panel 69 is set into a state where, upon being touched by the player, a touched position thereof is sensed.

Subsequently, in Step S22, it is determined whether or not the player has operated the touch panel 69. When the player has performed such an input operation, the active region corresponding to the display block 28 at the position subjected to the input operation is set in Step S23.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a region R1 that becomes the upper row, a region R2 that becomes an intermediate row, and a region R3 that becomes a lower row are set among the respective display blocks 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3). In this case, when the five display blocks 28 a 1 to 28 e 1 included in the region R1 are selected on the touch panel 69, the five display blocks 28 a 1 to 28 e 1 in the region R1 are set as the active region.

Moreover, when the five display blocks 28 a 2 to 28 e 2 included in the region R2 are selected on the touch panel 69, the five display blocks 28 a 2 to 28 e 2 in the region R2 are set as the active region. In a similar way, when the five display blocks 28 a 3 to 28 e 3 included in the region R3 are selected on the touch panel 69, the five display blocks 28 a 3 to 28 e 3 in the region R3 are set as the active region.

At this time, the number of regions R1 to R3 selectable as the active region may be decided in response to the number of BETs. For example, the following settings are possible. Specifically, one of the regions R1 to R3 is made selectable when the number of BETs is one, two of the regions R1 to R3 are made selectable when the number of BETs is two, and three (all) of the regions R1 to R3 are made selectable when the number of BETs is three.

Subsequently, in Step S24, the display blocks 28 set as the active region are clearly displayed to be turned into a state of being visually recognized with ease by the player, and other display blocks 28 are bluishly displayed to be turned into a state of visually recognized with difficulty by the player. Specifically, the regions of the liquid crystal display 82 installed on the front surface side of the rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e) are clearly displayed or bluishly displayed, whereby the regions are displayed so that only the active region can be visually recognized with ease by the player. In this case, the regions described above correspond to the respective display blocks 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3). For example, the regions described above are displayed in the following manner. When any of the five display bocks 28 a 1 to 28 e 1 is selected, as shown in FIG. 13, the five display blocks 28 a 1 to 28 e 1 of the region R1 that is the upper row are displayed so as to be visually recognized with ease since the front surface side thereof becomes transparent, and visibility of the other display blocks 28 a 2 to 28 e 3 becomes deteriorated since the front surface side thereof is colored blue (shown as diagonally shaded regions in FIG. 13). In such a way, the player can recognize that the five display blocks 28 a 1 to 28 e 1 are set as the active region.

The display blocks 28 set as the active region are not limited to the regions R1 to R3 shown in FIG. 13. For example, as show in FIG. 16, when the player touches the touch panel 69 and selects the display block 28 b 2, the display block 28 b 2 concerned and the display blocks adjacent thereto in the upper, lower, right and left directions are set as the active region. As described above, a variety of setting methods can be applied. Then, the active region setting processing is ended.

Subsequently, in Step S13 of FIG. 6, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the spin button 23 is switched on. In this processing, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received the input signal outputted from the spin switch 23S when the spin button 23 is pressed.

In the case of determining that the spin button 23 is not switched on, the main CPU 41 returns the processing to Step S10. Note that, when the spin button 23 is not switched on (for example, when an instruction to end the game is inputted while the spin button 23 is being left off), the main CPU 41 cancels a result of the reduction in Step S11.

Meanwhile, in the case of determining in Step S13 that the spin button 23 is switched on, the main CPU 41 performs symbol decision processing (Step S14). In this symbol decision processing, the main CPU 41 executes the symbol decision program stored in the RAM 43, and thereby decides the code numbers of the time when the symbols are stopped. This processing will be described later in detail by using FIG. 8. In this embodiment, a description is made of the case where one or plural winnings are decided from among plural types of the winnings by deciding the symbols to be displayed still. However, in the present invention, another processing may be adopted, for example, in which the one or plural winnings to be selected are first decided from among the plural types of winnings, and a combination of the symbols to be displayed still is then decided based on the winnings.

Next, the main CPU 41 performs scroll control processing for the respective rotating reels (14 a to 14 e) (Step S15). This processing is processing for performing a display control so that the symbols decided in Step S14 can be displayed still after the scroll of the symbols is started.

Next, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not a bonus game trigger is established, that is, whether or not the symbols displayed still on the five display blocks 28 belonging to the same active region are entirely “LOBSTER” (Step S16). In the case of determining that the bonus game trigger is established, the main CPU 41 reads out a program for performing the bonus game from the RAM 43, executes bonus game processing (Step S17), and ends this subroutine. This bonus game processing will be described later in detail by using FIG. 9.

In the case of determining that the bonus game trigger is not established (NO in Step S16), the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the winning is established (Step S18). The establishment of the winning is decided based on whether or not a predetermined number of specific symbols are stopped on the active region set by the active region setting processing of Step S12. For example, in the case where four symbols of “APPLE” are stopped on the active region R1 that is the upper row as shown in FIG. 14 when the region R1 is set as the active region as shown in FIG. 13, the award of 10 coins occurs (refer to FIG. 4).

Then, the main CPU 41 performs award processing for the coins (Step S19), and ends this subroutine. Meanwhile, when the winning is not established (NO in Step S18), the main CPU 41 ends this subroutine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of the symbol decision processing executed in Step S14 of FIG. 6. This processing is processing performed in such a manner that the main CPU 41 executes the symbol decision program stored in the RAM 43.

First, the main CPU 41 executes a random number generating program included in the symbol decision program, and thereby selects random number values individually corresponding to the respective symbols from a numerical range of 0 to 255 (Step S31). In this embodiment, a description will be made of the case of generating the random numbers on the program (the case of using so-called software random numbers). However, in the present invention, a random number generator may be provided in advance, and the random numbers may be sampled from the random number generator (so-called hardware random numbers may be used).

Next, the main CPU 41 decides the stopped positions of the respective rotating reels 14 (14 a to 14 e) based on the selected random number values (Step S32).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of the bonus game processing executed in step S17 shown in FIG. 6. In the bonus game processing, first, the main CPU 41 decides the number T of bonus games from among 10 to 25 games based on the random number values obtained by executing the random number generating program included in the symbol decision program stored in the RAM 43 (Step S60). The main CPU 41 stores the decided number of bonus games as data in the RAM 43.

Subsequently, the main CPU 41 performs active region setting processing (Step S61), symbol decision processing (Step S62), and scroll control processing (Step S63). Each processing of Steps S61 to S63 is processing substantially similar to each processing described by using FIG. 6. A description of such processing will be omitted here since the similar processing has been already described.

Next, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the bonus game trigger is established, that is, whether or not the symbols displayed still on the five display blocks 28 belonging to one active region are entirely “LOBSTER” (Step S64). In the case of determining that the bonus trigger game is established, the main CPU 41 newly decides the repeated number of times t of bonus games (Step S65), and adds the repeated number of times t thus decided to the current number of times T of bonus games (Step S66). In such a way, when a bonus game is won during the bonus game, the remaining number of bonus games is increased. Specifically, for example, in the case where the game proceeds to 20 bonus games for the first time, when 17 bonus games are won at the twelfth one of the 20 bonus games, 25 (20−12+17) bonus games are thereafter performed. After ending the processing of Step S66, the main CPU 41 moves the processing to Step S69.

When the bonus game trigger is not established in Step S64, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the winning is established (Step S67). In the case of determining that the winning is established, the main CPU 41 awards coins of the number corresponding to the inserted number and the winning (Step S68). When the winning is not established (NO in Step S67) or after the processing of Step S68 is ended, the main CPU 41 moves the processing to Step S69.

In Step S69, the main CPU 41 reads out the number of times T of bonus games, which is stored in the RAM 43, and reduces the read number of times T of bonus games by one. Then, the main CPU 41 stores the reduced number of times T of bonus games in the RAM 43 again.

Next, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the number of times T of bonus games has reached the number of times, which is decided in Step S60 (Step S70). Specifically, the main CPU 41 makes the determination based on whether or not the number of times T of bonus games, which is stored in the RAM 43, has become zero. When the number of times T is not zero, that is, when the main CPU 41 determines that the number of times that the bonus game is executed has not reached the number of times, which is decided in Step S60, the main CPU 41 returns the processing to Step S61, and repeats the above-described processing. Meanwhile, when the number of times T is zero, that is, when the main CPU 41 determines that the number of such execution times has reached the number of times, which is decided in Step S60, the main CPU 41 ends this subroutine.

As described above, in the slot machine 10 according to this embodiment, when the base game is executed, the player him/herself is allowed to perform the operation for setting the active region from among the respective display blocks 28 (28 a 1 to 28 a 3) provided in the matrix of five columns and three rows. Then, when the specific symbols are stopped on the display blocks 28 set as the active region, a predetermined amount of coins is awarded. Hence, the slot machine 10 according to this embodiment can offer gaming characteristics that the active region can be set by the player him/herself. Moreover, when the specific symbols are stopped on the active region to generate the award, the slot machine 10 can give the player satisfaction that the selection of the active region has been appropriate.

Next, a description will be made of a modification example of this embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made of the example of displaying the symbols by using the rotating reels 14; however, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the symbols are displayed by displaying images of the symbols on the liquid crystal display.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a slot machine 10′ according to the modification example of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in the slot machine 10′ according to the modification example, two liquid crystal displays, which are a liquid crystal display 17 (display) and the liquid crystal display 82, are arranged so as to be superposed on each other. In this case, the liquid crystal display 17 is the display for displaying the totally 15 symbols with the matrix of five columns and three rows, and is provided in the inside of the lower image display panel 16, and the liquid crystal display 82 is provided on the front surface side of the liquid crystal display 17 in the inside of the lower image display panel 16. As in the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display 82 on the front surface side is used for changing the visibility of the symbols displayed on the respective display blocks 28 (28 a 1 to 28 e 3). Specifically, as described with reference to FIG. 13 and the like, the liquid crystal display 82 performs image display for clearly displaying the display blocks set as the active region and bluishly displaying the display blocks which are not set as the active region.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the slot machine 10′ according to the modification example. As shown in FIG. 11, the slot machine 10′ according to the modification example is different from that of the above-described embodiment in that the slot machine 10′ includes the liquid crystal display 17 in place of the rotating reels 14, and that the symbols displayed on the liquid crystal display 17 are changed under the control of the VDP 46.

Also in the slot machine 10′ according to the modification example, similar effects to those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Specifically, the slot machine 10′ can offer the gaming characteristics that the active region can be set by the player him/herself. Moreover, when the specific symbols are stopped on the active region to generate the award, the slot machine 10′ can give the player satisfaction that the selection of the active region has been appropriate.

Note that, in the slot machine 10′ shown in FIG. 11, other displays such as a CRT and a plasma display are also usable in place of the liquid crystal display 17.

The slot machine and the playing method of the slot machine according to the present invention have been described above based on the illustrated embodiment; however, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the configurations of the respective portions can be replaced by arbitrary configurations having similar functions. 

1. A slot machine comprising: a display that has a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix, and rearranges a symbol arranged on each defined region; and a controller that, in an arbitrary game, selects an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among the plurality of defined regions in response to an external input, and provides an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region.
 2. A slot machine comprising: a display that has a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix, and rearranges a symbol arranged on each defined region; and a controller that, in an arbitrary game, selects an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among the plurality of defined regions in response to an external input, provides an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region, and decides a number of the active regions in response to a BET number so that the number of selectable active regions increases as the BET number is being larger.
 3. A slot machine comprising: a display that has a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix, and rearranges a symbol arranged on each defined region; and a controller that, in an arbitrary game, selects an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among the plurality of defined regions in response to an external input, provides an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region, decides a number of the active regions in response to a BET number so that the number of selectable active regions increases as the BET number is being larger, and rearranges a plurality of symbols on the display so that the one or more symbols on the one or more defined regions set as the active region can be visually recognized easier than the other symbols on the defined regions which are not set as the active region.
 4. A playing method of a slot machine comprising the steps of: selecting, in response to an external input, an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix in a case of rearranging symbols arranged on a display that has the plurality of defined regions; and providing an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region.
 5. A playing method of a slot machine comprising the steps of: selecting, in response to an external input, an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix in a case of rearranging symbols arranged on a display that has the plurality of defined regions; providing an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region; and deciding a number of the active regions in response to a BET number so that the number of selectable active regions increases as the BET number is being larger.
 6. A playing method of a slot machine comprising the steps of: selecting, in response to an external input, an active region composed of one or more defined regions from among a plurality of defined regions provided in a matrix in a case of rearranging symbols arranged on a display that has the plurality of defined regions; providing an award in response to one or more symbols rearranged on the selected active region; deciding a number of the active regions in response to a BET number so that the number of selectable active regions increases as the BET number is being larger; and rearranging the symbols on the display so that the one or more symbols on the one or more defined regions set as the active region can be visually recognized easier than the other symbols on the defined regions which are not set as the active region. 